I have a 2001 Triton tr-186. It has the dual trolling motor built in charger system.

Well, for over a year now, my trolling motor has terrible top end power, and pretty pathetic longevity.

Now there are three batteries in my boat. One is a cranking starter battery. The other two are (brand new) trolling batteries.

I originally thought my problem was old batteries.

After replacing those two batteries, the top end power has not increased and its actually only using one of the two batteries. It appears to be hooked up correctly.

Now, the cranking starting battery is supposed to be required a trickle charger every 3-4 trips. It is supposed to be seperate of the dual charger system. There is no alternator in a 2001 Triton to begin with.

So what I recently found out is that when I use the dual charger (supposed to be for the two trolling batteries) it ends up charging the cranking battery, and ONE of the trolling batteries.

So what is really going on ? It appears that someone (a mechanic) who replaced some batteries for me two years ago maybe hooked them up the wrong way?

Does anybody have any ideas on what to do?

Let me re-state that it appears that both the new trolling batteries are hooked up.

Oh, and one other major thing.....I have a motorguide. Now on the foot pedal you are supposed to be able to control which battery you run off. One says "24 volt" and the other option is "12 volt". Now when I switch it during the day, there is no varying in power. When the boat was brand new, it varyed everytime I swithched. (hinting that it was using both batteries) now that it never varies, and dies so easy (the obvious answer is that it is only using ONE battery)

thanks for any help!